Chelsea's Kenedy has medical ahead of Newcastle loan return - sources

Chelsea winger Kenedy has undergone a medical ahead of a season-long loan move to Newcastle, sources have told ESPN FC.

The Brazilian impressed at St. James' Park in the second half of last season, scoring two goals and providing two assists in 13 Premier League appearances after joining on loan from Stamford Bridge in January.

Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte considers Kenedy as surplus to requirements and although the Italian's own future at Stamford Bridge remains unclear due to the ongoing pursuit of Maurizio Sarri, the Blues have still been willing to make decisions regarding the players on the fringes of the first-team squad.

Kenedy was a prime candidate to be sold this summer to raise funds for first-team signings, but Chelsea have opted to loan him back to Newcastle after failing to find a club willing to meet their asking price, reportedly around £20 million.

There was hope at Chelsea that Kenedy could establish himself as an alternative to Marcos Alonso at left wing-back but he did not earn Conte's trust, making only five appearances across the Carabao Cup and FA Cup between August and January.

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Emerson Palmieri's arrival from Roma for around £20m at the end of the winter window then pushed Kenedy further down the pecking order, and it was decided that a loan to Newcastle for the remainder of the campaign was the best option to rebuild his value.

Asked about the possibility of returning to Newcastle in an interview with the Daily Mail in April, Kenedy said: "I am enjoying my time at Newcastle, but obviously I have a contract at Chelsea. If something occurs then I will be more than happy, it is a good place for me. I like it."

Chelsea are yet to buy a single player this summer, as the prolonged uncertainty surrounding Conte and Sarri has had a paralysing effect on the club's transfer plans in a window already complicated by the World Cup and compressed by the Premier League's earlier deadline, set for Aug. 9.